This purple-red hued wine exudes aromas of mulberry, raspberry and earthy nuances from its pleasing nose. The intense and richly flavoured palate shows plum, chocolate and vanilla flavours. Integrated with fleshy tannins and soft oak, the wine ends long and refreshing. This wine has been crafted for medium to long-term cellaring.

Michael Fragos grew up in McLaren Vale, and spent 14 years at Tatachilla before taking over at Chapel Hill in 2004. A three-time ‘Bushing King’, Michael has also been named best winemaker on the planet! James Halliday notes that his “wine quality is unfailingly excellent” . This one has an expressive nose of blackcurrant, bay leaf cigar box and chocolate. The palate is medium to full-bodied, beautifully structured, with a powerful complexity, fine-grained tannins, velvety texture and long, long finish.

Beguilingly light in colour it has an intensely lifted aromaticity. Primary fruits of raspberry, confectionary, yet then a tantalizing and balancing off-sweet aroma that is more meaty and savoury than sweet. Berry fruit flavours are subtly seasoned with oak's spice, before the mid palate is refreshed with cooling acidity. The acidity carries the wine's flavours through to the palate's end. Heirloom Vineyards was conceived in vintage 2000, when a young winemaking student caught the eye of a silly old wine judge. A love story ensued inspired by two vows: To preserve the best of tradition, the old world of wine and our unique old vineyards and to champion the best clones of each variety planted in the most appropriate sites embracing the principals of organic and biodynamic farming. Seven long vintages of trial and error passed before Heirloom Vineyards could make a wine that was fine enough to pass on to future generations. That is this wine.

ColourA very attractive crimson red.AromaThis wine exhibits the distinct Grenache aromas; concentrated rose petals, ripe red berries and hints of confectionery. The nose is complex with signs of barrel maturation without any obvious oak.PalateThere are ripe strawberry and raspberry flavours with the warmth of the dry grown Grenache showing long and fine tannins with a lingering finish. There is a savoury dry character that is not aggressive in any way with hints of spice. The wine lingers and has cleansing acidity. This wine reflects the terroir of the area and the characteristics of the Grenache variety.

Re-tasted on 07/06/2022 Magnificent colour displaying a pitch black core with a very deep black dark red hue. Pronounced black cherry, liquorice and black plum aromas are overlaid by scorched earth and smoked meats followed by spicy vanillin cedar and pepper notes. Tightly built rich black cherry and liquorice flavours dominate over inky earth, lightly scorched vanillin cedar, dried meats and blackpepper. Dry grippy finish with tightly grained tannins. Rich yet elegant and muscular in its feel. Good underlying power with a long black cherry, liquorice, smoky vanillin cedar, dried meats and earthy pepper aftertaste. Cellar 8-10 years. Alc. 14.5%

The nose is abundant with red and blue fruits also seen on the palate, which is juicy, full bodied and underpinned by fine tannins. Further investigation reveals more layers of flavour and complexity after the initial tranche of bright fruits. A superb example of this most versatile of varietals and testament to McLaren Vale’s Grenache dominance.